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In this 2022 Ram 1500 vs F-150 comparison, we look at specs, performance, comfort and trim levels to determine who does the full-size pickup truck best.
Ram 1500 vs F-150
When digging into a comparison of the 2022 Ram 1500 vs F-150, it is immediately obvious that Dodge had the right idea to spin off Ram as a separate brand. With both trucks offering a mind-bending array of configurations, Ford could certainly justify following suit with a standalone F-150 brand.
This is all to say that a pickup truck buyer will find themselves an embarrassment of riches as it relates to choosing the version that fits their needs, from either brand. As you move up the ladder, you’ll also find a need for those riches as these trucks get pricey, fast. Check out our used comparison of these two contenders for options that cost less than $10,000.
The Ram 1500 has been around for five generations and once upon a time it was actually a Dodge Ram, a history you can read about here. This new model has been around since 2019 and is lauded for luxurious interiors and a cushy ride thanks to the standard independent suspension.
Ford slices their generations more tightly, so this would be the 14th generation F-150 as of 2021. It boasts aluminum construction and the long-running title of Best-Selling Vehicle (not just pickup truck) with nearly three-quarters of a million F-Series sold last year.
Specs
Every Ram 1500 vs. F-150 comparison must start with the engine options as they are favorite boasting points of loyal owners. The Ram keeps things relatively simple with a standard 3.6L V6 that makes 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. A 5.7 HEMI V8, making 395 horses and 410 torques, is included on the Limited model and can be fitted with eTorque mild hybridization for an added 130 lb-ft of twist.
For around $5000, there is an optional 3.0L turbodiesel V6 mill that puts down 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. If you want the wild 702-horse supercharged 6.2L V8, you will need to pony up for the TRX edition. Across the board, an 8-speed automatic routes power to the rear wheels with the option for 4WD. Body configurations consist of a Double or Crew Cab setup with 5 ½’ or 6 ½’ bed lengths.
Ford offers a whopping six engine options on the 2022 F-150, ranging from the standard 3.3L V6 with 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque to the Raptor-exclusive 3.5L twin-turbo V6 High Output producing 450 horses and 510 torques. That 3.5L EcoBoost also comes in 400/500 hp/torque flavor and a hybrid variant churning the earth with 570 pounds of twist and 430 horsepower. F-150s with the hybrid can even be fitted with a bed-mounted generator capable of outputting 7.2 kW of electric juice. As well, there is a 2.7L single turbo V6 that produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Ford fits a 10-speed automatic to all F-150s and like the Ram, RWD is standard and 4×4 can be added. Along with the cab and bed setups found on the Ram 1500, Ford still offers a traditional regular cab with no back seat and an extra-long 8-foot bed.
Driving and Performance
Towing is typically top of mind for pickup buyers and both these trucks excel in that department. Ford claims the crown with a max capacity of 14,000 pounds, though the Ram 1500 is not far behind at 12,750 pounds. This capability is partly why each brand’s large SUVs, which are based on these trucks, land on this list of Best SUVs for Towing.
All manner of trailering tech is available in both trucks, from surround view cameras and trailer blind spot coverage to integrated brake controllers and dashboard-control of backing your load up. Ford noses ahead here with available Onboard Scales that allow drivers to measure current payload against the maximum rating, from the front seat.
You’ll find the traditional leaf-sprung rear suspension on the F-150, while the Ram features a four-corner coil-sprung system that offers improved ride quality. To go further, Ram offers an air suspension on higher-end models whereas the F-150 can be ordered with Continuous Controlled Damping, an adaptive system that constantly adjusts damping force to deliver a smoother ride.
If fuel economy is your thing, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel engine is for you. It is rated for 32 mpg on the highway, better than the hybrid F-150 which achieves 25 mpg in this category. The Ram’s bread-and-butter Pentastar V6 is estimated to earn 20 mpg in city driving and 25 on the highway for RWD trucks, while Ford’s base V6 is rated at one less mpg for both figures. A HEMI V8-equipped Ram is rated for 15/22 mpg in city/highway driving versus the 5.0 V8 from Ford that earns 17 and 24 mpg in city and highway testing, respectively.
Comfort and Interior
For the most cabin comfort in either the Ram 1500 or Ford F-150, you’ll be wanting the four-door Crew Cab configuration. Ram offers 45-inches of rear legroom, with Ford trailing by just one inch in this setup. Both trucks offer bench seating or buckets up front in upholstery ranging from vinyl to rich leather with contrast stitching and real wood trim. While the Ram and Ford can both be equipped with climatized front seats and heated rears, only the Ram offers ventilated rears. However, Ford volleys back with massaging functionality up front.
If maximum cargo space is a requirement, Ford still offers an 8-foot bed, which you will not find on the Ram. The F-150 also makes loading ramps that stow within the bed and, on Crew Cabs, the rear floor is completely flat with lockable underfloor bins. Ram’s cargo bed claim to fame is their RamBox system that integrates lockable compartments into the bed side rails. They also offer a Multi-Function tailgate that splits vertically in a 60/40 setup to offer barndoor-like access.
Trims and Features
There is a tremendous level of features across the various trim levels in a Ram 1500 vs F-150 comparison that cannot all be covered here. Check out our separate reviews of the 2022 Ram 1500 and 2022 F-150 for more in-depth coverage.
Ram starts off with the $37,000 Tradesman model targeted at worksite use with steel wheels, manual air-conditioning and a 5-inch touchscreen display. Big Horn trim, at $42,000, brings alloy wheels, a touch of chrome, and cloth fabric. For $45,000, the Laramie has full LED lighting, forward collison warning, leather upholstery, and an 8.4-inch infotainment interface with Wi-Fi and Apple and Android integration. Off-road focused Ram Rebel starts at $49,000 and boasts 33-inch all-terrain rubber, a locking rear axle and beefy hood.
For $58,000, the Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn sports 20-inch rims, two-tone leather seating and real wood trim. Top-spec Limited trim runs north of $63,000 and features the 5.7L HEMI, air suspension, dual-zone automatic climate control and 12-inch infotainment screen with navigation. It also features blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic control. Desert-racer RAM TRX will run you just about 80 large, which brings you serious running gear and the monster 702-horse motor. All 2022 Ram 1500s can also be fitted with adaptive cruise control, a lane keeping system and self-parking as part of a package.
An F-150 XL is the Ram Tradesman counterpart, but it costs only $32,000 and comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi capability, and smartphone mirroring software. Also, automatic high beams, forward collision warning and automated emergency braking are lineup standard. For $39,000, the XLT adds alloy wheels, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. Mid-pack Lariat trim costs about $50,000 and features LED lighting, and 12-inch displays for both the gauge cluster and central infotainment interface. Like the Ram Rebel, an F-150 Tremor wears off-road gear but is fitted with the potent 3.5L EcoBoost V6 for about $55,000.
5.0L V8-powerd King Ranch F-150s crack $61,000 and boast adaptive headlamps, unique leather upholstery, ACC and a wireless charging pad. Running $64,000, Ford’s Platinum truck brings massaging front seats and power-operated running boards. And for an eye-popping $78,000 the F-150 Limited has 22-inch wheels, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, Onboard Scales, twin-panel moonroof and semi-autonomous BlueCruise technology. Last but certainly not least is the $71,000 Raptor, which competes with Ram’s TRX for dinosaur-named dune-jumping dream truck bragging rights.
Conclusion
Ford’s engine options are more robust with far more power available, TRX aside, and the F-150 has a higher towing capacity. Both offer serious cabin luxury but the Ford-150 makes more of these amenities available at lower price points. In this comparison, the 2022 Ford F-150 handily bests the 2022 Ram 1500.
There is so much content to consider in this Ram 1500 vs. F-150 comparison that it can be hard to figure out which truck is better. The reality is that either option is likely to meet virtually every need of a potential buyer, however, the F-150 pulls ahead in several categories. Driver-assistance aids are more readily available and the Ram does not offer a semi-autonomous driving system.
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